There is an old saying "Let the buyer beware"

From your account it sounds like the guy trashed the tie rods at his mx track. The reason he doesn't want you to see it because of the front end he messed up & you would know it.

Your doing the right thing, if it makes your other freind mad then he isn't really a freind of yours.

 

don't split any bill with him how do you know he did not abuse it in the riding he did? when you buy used you get used there is no guarentee that it will last trouble free, like you said it is 7 years old. Things can and will break. I would always check funds or get cash, unless i know them personally. I never try to sell to freinds sold to an aunt once and she assumed that everytime the car hiccuped I would for some reason know what is wrong and come right then to fix it! sold a computer to one of my fathers freinds spent more time messing with it than i did when i owned it!that is why i trade usually i lose money in the end but forgo tons of hassle. Seems like everytime i go to sell something a co worker , or freind or relative wanted it or wants it. I even had a freind pissed becuase i traded my Xplorer and did not give him a DEAL instead. Cannot win.

 

Man, I wish I could find these dealers that have these tie rods for $5. I bent one of my tie rods on my 2000 300ex at a MX track a few weeks ago. I called my local dealer and they said $27 each(without the ends). I figured they were ripping me off so I called one of the honda parts stores that had an ad in 4 wheel atv action (one of the ones with the full page ads). They wanted either a dollar less or a dollar more, I can't remember (without ends). So for the time being I just took it off, put it in a vice, beat the hell out of it, and now its almost perfect. I was a little worried at first that I may have a weak spot now, but I've ridden about 5-6 times on some real rough terrain and a couple MX tracks and it still looks fine.

 

Greetings,

OK, assuming we can't get Dr. Laura on the forum, here's my opinion.

You did everthing just about right and, even in million dollar deals, its the paperwork [or lack thereof] that ends up making a small problem worse. So don't kick yourself on this.

But even having done things right, you might want to invest just a few bucks to help ensure a satisfied customer and maybe save a few friends in the process (seems like you operate in a pretty close community). I don't know what the rods will cost, but offer to send over $20, $30, or $40 to help make it right. I know you don't owe it really, and it does sound like the guy busted it up on the track, but it might be worth it to show a little "give" in the situation and then walk away a winner -- inside and out.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

From your story, you offered the purchaser a full refund--ethically and legally, he has absolutely no leg to stand on.

Yet, as Dr. Rod points out, there is an intangible side--if you graciously offer to pay a portion of the repairs, just to make your customer happy, the good will may be worth the expense.

On the other hand, if you are convinced you're being chiseled, I can understand if you hold your ground and refuse to pay a penny.

Verifying funds on a check appears well within your prerogative; you decide how much risk you are willing to assume.

I disagree about the caveat regarding selling to friends and friends of friends--these transactions can work our satisfactorily for all concerned.

Diogenes

 

The friend I was talkin about that got them for $5 got them at dealer cost, he is sponsored by the dealer and gets everything at their cost. So...they would probably charge 200 apiece knowing this dealer if I went to buy them!
Its all in markup.

As far as the thing about paying for part of it to make the guy happy, sounds like a decent idea to me, I wouldnt want to lose a friend, if he was a good friend, which sounds like he isnt maybe over something so silly. Money isnt everything, but...I wouldnt pay $75 for it, thats for damn sure.

 

There should also be another moral. I know a guy that sold his banshee, it was not completely stock it had a few mods but anyway he took a check for it. When he went to cash it the bank said that account was closed, after the banshee was sold the guy closed his account and got a free banshee. So from now on I suggest taking cash only

 

Thanks all… I appreciate your comments and support. It was all very informative and there was no bashing of Honda because of a part failure.

Just to let you all know. I heard through the grapevine of friends from someone that was there. He nosed it jumping, landing into another whoop. My first thoughts were correct.

I really need to re-think who my true friends are. Although I cannot totally avoid contact with him since, we have mutual friends. I will go out of my way to avoid him at all costs. Unfortunately, I'm losing a High school buddy. This is not something I wish on anyone. It just sucks.